Story: Makarovia! Sure, I Know Where That Is
Chapter 18 Antikythera
Author: Eric McQueen (mcqueen.richarderic@gmail.com)
Adult Readers, Sexual Situations, Sex
Freedom of expression is precious. To do that Nifty needs help. Your donation is greatly desired. Give to http://donate.nifty.org/ or this story ends and all the others! That would be a crime!
Our honeymooners take a day from any hustle and bustle. A low trafficked island where they get to know crew and security agents better. They have a cookout to express appreciation.
Antikythera
It wasn't fair. Peter and I had a great time. The guys looked to be having a good time as well, but they were working. The four inside had drinks that they hardly touched. Still seemingly together, but watching everyone. Now that we were back on the Duchess, we went to bed? No. It wasn't fair. Now, there was really no hurry to get up. We even left word for Henri we didn't know what time. It was approximately four hundred kilometers. That's two hundred and fifty miles. (Ow. Math makes my head hurt. I try to avoid it as much as I can.)
The trip would take seven to ten hours depending on various nautical things like currents and weather. It would be lunch or lunch time when we got to Antikythera. We'd spend the night there and go to Malta. That was almost a thousand kilometers. (Ow.) If we went straight across. The recommended course had us skirting Italy's shore adding more!
The Duchess was seaworthy, so no problem. We'd pick up Yuri and Boris, stop in Athens and visit our friends there and go to Venice. Then Makarovia.
Peter and I were lazing in that wonderful bed together.
"I really like this trip." Peter sighed with a chuckled. "You were right. This is very dangerous."
I nodded. "I hope we can go on the Duchess again in the future. Maybe our legal step-aunt-in-law will let us." I grinned. "Our step uncle and aunt, the Count and Countess."
"And we have a brother who is king and a mother who is queen." Peter added. "Aunt Maria should be thrilled her sister-in-law is a queen!"
"Are we talking pedigrees here?"
"Aren't you?" Peter argued.
"No." I rested my head on the pillow looking at him. "Two years ago, there was just me and grandma. Then added you and Olek, your mother, and my family of two are now extended around the world. Some pretty important people. I just love the connection."
"Oh." Peter smiled. "I see."
"My family just wasn't that..." I thought a second, "productive with family. Mom and Dad were only children. Mom and Dad had only me. That's why I love the connections through you. I even find connections that aren't really there. Countess Maria von Bar is an example. The truth is," I confessed quietly, "I'm only genetically connected to that one person."
Peter frowned and rolled to be over men. "I had no idea you felt this way."
I shrugged a nod. "Not all the time."
Peter kissed me gently and held my left hand up. "And we aren't just related. We are married. For life." He kissed me again. "In front of millions around the world! Oh, yeah, we are sooo related."
We were stirred again, but this time due to the fact we weren't moving.
Showering and going to the living area we discovered the Duchess was anchored. Antikythera was...well, it was a rock sticking out of the water. It wasn't ugly or bad, but it was rocky with just a little vegetation bigger than a shrub that I could see. It had one very appealing feature. I didn't see a soul. There were some buildings that lined a lagoon, but no people could be seen or heard. Just the sound of the water lapping up to the Duchess. The clean salted air breezing through, it was very tranquil. I really noticed that as my body just relaxed. We were on the edge of the Aegean Sea. Some of those breezes were pretty gusty, but not chilling.
There wasn't much of a marina. There was a small gathering of boats near the shore with maybe three boats there currently. None as large as the Duchess. There was a wide...road? It ended abruptly; the cars would be in the water if they went on. Big enough for a couple of lanes of cars. Two cars were waiting now. The ferry business was very big here connecting many of the islands and countries.
"I didn't know if this is what you wanted." We heard the captain say behind us. "It's bigger than that first island..."
Peter grinned. "It's perfect."
The captain nodded. "They have a scheduled ferry arrival in a couple of hours. We can go closer or farther out."
We went to the galley. Henri was cooking things.
"Sorry to interrupt," Peter said. "Coffee?"
Henri looked up and beamed quickly. "Of course!" Without even looking, Henri pulled down the correct mug and glass and moved smoothly and quickly to get the coffees ready. "You also need something to eat."
I looked in a large pot and saw potatoes? "What's all this?"
Henri looked helpless to change things. "Well, we'll be in Malta when we get to a fresh market. That's two or three days from now. To stay good with my word, the best way is to pre-make some things." He shrugged.
"Lunch doesn't have to be complicated or labor intensive." I said. "Grilled cheese sandwiches will be fine."
Henri paused as he finished our coffees and said slowly. "Sand witches?" He sounded clearly confused. Again, with the body language, you could see in his eyes that mischievous glimmer. "Grilled cheese?" He shook his head. "Doesn't ring a bell." He pointed at the clock everyone in the galley could see. "What does that clock say?"
"Twelve thirty-seven." I said.
Henri nodded. "One o'clock. Be here!"
Peter chuckled saluting Henri quickly. I did too and said. "Roger that."
Henri started moving again. Watching him was like watching ballet. Hear me out, or read me out. It was a dance. He never searched for anything. He may cook in other places, but the galley of the Duchess he knew better than the back of his hand. This was Henri's domain! Boris was the same way. He was furious when someone moved an ingredient from where he put it. What it was didn't matter; that he had to look was the problem. Boris' fury was like a distant storm. You may not see the storm clouds, but that rumble was heard.
That was another commonality they shared. Everyone gets angry. I've seen Olek and Yuri become very angry. Furious. It's how they expressed that anger was telling of them. General Hammond, General Burke...they all have control of that anger. To this day, I believe Olek would have shot Penelope Baldwin. Yuri would have, too, but Olek worried about legal complications. Olek is king.
Back to Henri. Whenever someone does something so easily it looks simple. That's art. Henri was perfectly at home. He was a true artist.
Peter and I went out on the deck.
"Do we need to go anywhere?" Peter asked. "We will in Malta." He gave a shrugging nod. "I'm sort of burnt out with the paparazzi."
I smiled as the wind made his hair dance on his head. "No. We don't." Then held a finger up chastising him even before I spoke. "If you disagree, fine. I don't believe in lies. Even harmless white lies."
Peter's head went back a little surprised. "Okay."
"You never looked bad to me." I smiled. "Ever."
Peter turned a little pink and was starting to say something.
"What did I just say?" I demanded smiling. "My impression was that whole Transylvania thing you had going."
"Transylvania? You mean Dracula's Transylvania!?" Peter balked.
"Pale like you never went in the sun..."
"The sun doesn't shine much in winter!" Peter protested laughing.
"I know that." I nodded. "Now. I'm saying that because as windy as it is. You're never been where you don't look very good." I kissed him. "Oh, and I love Dracula and many of the other vampire stories. So, you were fine."
Peter was turning red. "You're bias."
I pulled him close. "You are right, but I'm not wrong." After feeling ugly over a decade, his ego needed a boost now and then. He was having a hard time believing it. The other evening ago at the dinner table was an example. "All the magazines say so."
"About you and me."
"Why would they lie?" I asked. "You," I kissed him, "are beautiful."
Drinking my coffee was easy, it was cold already. Peter's was only half finished when my watch sounded the alarm.
We arrived at one. Henri grinned. "I've trained you well." He took a big cover off. There was a bowl of home fries! You know, they're like potato chips, just a little thicker. They might crunch, but it would be a "meatier" bite of potato. Something had been sprinkled over them. Green onions?
I smiled at Henri. "I have eaten home fries before, but none like this."
Henri looked shocked. "Of course, not. I didn't make them for you." He grinned. "They have a light sour cream and onion flavor." He picked up two plates and put two steaming good sized sandwiches in front of us. "You wanted grilled cheese. Here they are."
Peter looked at them. "What is coming out besides the cheese?" He asked.
"Lobster and crab." Henri shrugged. "It would be thrown out if not used." He said logically.
"And you did this in twenty minutes?" Peter asked verifying.
Henri nodded with a chuckle. "You saw me preparing things for tonight, tomorrow and the days after. Miracles? I do those."
"None of these foods is beneath you?" I asked.
Henri shook his head. "Food is food. No food is beneath me. I can make burgers and fries!" He bounced once. "My way."
I smiled. "How about this evening?"
Henri looked uncertain. "You want burger and fries for dinner?"
"Not for just Peter and me." I waved at the Duchess. "We're not moving. I mean everyone. Makarovian and the crew of the Duchess. Nothing needs to be monitored, does it? I mean the Captain and you, too!"
Peter was nodding the whole time I was talking. "Is there an outdoor grill out there?"
Henri nodded a little shocked. "A very nice outdoor kitchen."
"If you agree," I said. "That means you join us." I tried one of the home fries. "This is delicious. This has been a magical trip for Peter and me. That wouldn't have happened if you and everyone else didn't make it magical. We want to say thank you."
Peter nodded. "You're more than just a chef. You started as that, but became our friend, too."
"We need to talk to Captain Agius first." I said and had another home fry. "After lunch. These are wonderful!"
The sandwiches were lightly tangy from cheese I knew wasn't Kraft cheese singles you used for sandwiches back in the United States. This cheese was a white, tangy, and creamier tasting cheese that went with the lobster and crab perfectly. There are just so few words! If I said orgasm of the taste buds, that would be close.
We went to the bridge where Captain Agius worked on a computer. He looked up smiling instantly.
`What can I do for you?" The Captain asked.
"When we're stationary," Peter began. "What does the crew do? What do you do?"
The Captain looked confused. "There's always something to do. I read a lot. Do research on weather patterns..."
"Does anything need constant watching?" Peter asked more specifically.
"No." Captain said. "The Duchess monitors herself. There are periodic checks to see if the balance is maintained."
"Great!" I said happily. "Then you can help us by showing up. Peter and I are throwing a thank you cookout on the deck! Everybody and I mean everybody is to come."
The Captain smiled and began his you don't have to do that objection.
"We don't have to," I agreed. "We want to."
The Captain nodded. "What time?"
"The usual mealtime?" Peter asked.
The Captain nodded again, "It will be an honor."
We went down to the crew area. Four were playing cards. They were in jeans and t-shirts. The uniform was not on one of them. No one jumped to attention this time. Rolph looked up. "Are we going somewhere?"
I nodded. "You are." I pointed up. "You're going out there."
They didn't understand me.
"Did you bring swimsuits?" I asked.
"You want to go swimming." Mikell said trying to understand.
I blew a frustrated breath. "We're trying to be nice to you lunatics! Swim, lay in the sun." I pulled the cards from Mercea's hand. I nodded. "Not a bad hand. I thought I asked you to play up there." I handed Mercea's cards back and looked at Mikell's hand. It was mean, but... "Mercea's hand is better."
Mercea threw his cards down in disgust. "Oh, man!"
I chuckled. "You didn't include Peter or me in this game." I pointed out. "There's a huge ship up there! Go see it!"
Peter smiled. "We are having a cookout tonight, too. For you guys."
"Why?" Mikell asked. "For doing our jobs? We're paid to do it." He really didn't understand.
"Yes," I nodded. "You are. You do it damned well. All of this," I waved at the Duchess around us, "is because Peter and I got married. I have had a wonderful time. A simple thank you isn't enough."
"Being friends goes both ways," Peter nodded. "Keeping us safe is your job. Being friends with us is not. You are."
"Have you ever had an office party!?" I asked.
Rolph grinned. "Not like this."
Alec, the only blonde agent who almost never spoke. "We don't need to keep watch?"
"Are you keeping watch now?" Peter asked.
"No." Alec admitted.
I nodded. "That's right." I pointed up again. "Believe me when I say, there isn't much to watch. Looking on the shore I saw no one. There's little to no water traffic. This island has less the seventy people on the whole thing. They have a hotel and restaurant. Even with tourists there won't be a lot of people." I waved at the island. "The land is rocky and so is the beach. No one should be a problem." I pointed at Alec. "You and I are going to talk."
Alec's blue eyes grew. "We are?"
I nodded coming over to him. "We are." I smiled at him. "You're a hold back."
You know directly from Makarovian to English doesn't work sometimes. Alec's face said he didn't understand. "I'm a what?"
"I still know nothing about you." I explained. "You are holding back. I want to know you."
Alec shook his head, but looked away. He was smiling, but said. "I'm not that interesting."
"Says who?" I asked. "You were born and are standing here now. Can I know somethings in-between?"
"It's not very exciting." Alec chuckled.
"A calm life is sometimes better." I said quietly touching his shoulder. Again, body language told a lot. I felt the slight pull away from my touch. He didn't jerk away, nor did he tell me to stop and not touch him. It was a reflex. "We don't have talk about anything unpleasant." I now began to think he had a lot of unpleasant things in his past. "I just want to know you."
Alec nodded. "I'll tell you what I can."
I nodded. "I look forward to it."
Alec was in his thirties. I didn't know a thing about him. I had guesses. I really did think of doing the psychology thing. My "armchair degree" told me he was abused at a young age. Those early formative years follow you through your entire life. You know there had been problems being cut off from the world. Those two at St. Nickolas' celebration where their mother killed their father and then herself. Never mind the two small children left alone to fend for themselves and nearly died.
Unfortunately, abuse could be human nature, too. It's not anger, not by itself. Frustration and Cabin Fever was part of it. An imbalance in brain chemistry is frequently a reason and all of the above. Life was hard in Makarovia. There was limited medical assistance and almost no Psychological except after World War II. Then nonexistent when the Soviets had control.
"Put whatever on and come up." Peter said and looked at the Duchess' Mechanist. "Everyone."
The overall feeling changed. This wasn't an act. At first, it was a slow rising from below as two came up. Almost like Prairie Dogs checking to see if the coast was clear, but ready to scramble down to safety. These were grown, tough men. It was almost comical. I resisted the urge to say, "Come here, boy," in a voice you used on a skittish and shy puppy to win trust. Or whistle for them. Peter and I talked about the swimsuit issue. There were many nude beaches in the area for thousands of miles. No one gave it much thought. Peter and I went to a beach wearing no suits at all. So did King Olek. We left it to them. Mikell and Cosmo were first to come up. In swimsuits. Those bikini ones by Speedo or someone like that? I will admit to liking that; for me. They worked hard on fitness and beautiful. They did come up to use the workout room I found out. They were healthy men. The honed muscles showed. Why is it that body hair is so varied? I heard professors talk about evolution and knew the basics. The hairy part has so many "theories." Theories, not conclusive answers. All these guys were from a similar portion of Europe so not that genetically diverse. Even me. Peter was hairier than I was. On his chest. Humans started shedding fur as we started walking upright. Our great ancestors were not pretty. At all. Whatever. Cosmo was hairy! I mean his chest and back and shoulders...he was hairy! I'm sorry, but my opinion, no one else's. Cosmo was in shape, but all that hair was sort of a turn off. For me. I loved Peter's and even Olek's. No manscaping allowed. Peter was to shave and trim nothing but the hair on his face and get his hair cut.
Mikell had a nice covering of hair on his broad ch est. It wasn't bushy or anything. He was a handsome man. I said earlier, he wasn't that handsome, but he had a rugged good looks that grew on you. After a week, I saw he was! Very handsome. He didn't really give his appearance thought except when on the job and that was to look unapproachable. He did an excellent job doing that.
Then we heard this...almost battle cry as Mercea charged past them, tossed a towel on a lounge, and leapt, pulling knees up and did a cannonball off the Duchess' side. Not in the deck's pool, but the water surrounding everything. The deck we were on was the main deck. There were two more below that. It was a good drop in distance.
We walked to the side to see Mercea had surfaced, shook his head quickly to remove excess water. He let out a loud "Whoa! This water is cold!"
Mikell nodded with an almost evil grin. "The pool water isn't. Now what'll you do? I don't know a way back up from there. There's no ladder."
I looked at Mikell and said quietly with a grin. "You are such a liar!" I chuckled. "There has to be a way."
Mikell smiled and shook his head. "Ah, but I didn't lie. Knowing there has to be is different than my saying I don't know." He shrugged. "I don't! That wasn't a lie."
Peter chuckled. Let's go fish him out."
The very bottom of the Duchess was where the engines and power generator was. I don't know what all was down here. The Duchess was streamlined for minimum usage of space. There were computer monitors all about down here. They were part of the system and were checked regularly to see a potential problem. It was also used for cargo. There was still enough for two cars parked side by side.
The rear of ship or the stern was where we would get in a smaller boat and go to shore. Or, as with Mercea, we decided to take a dip in the Aegean Sea. We helped Mercea up and I saw clearly, the man/boy quality. His body looked great, but he had a child's innocence still in his face making him very attractive. He'd would be breaking hearts. He was only six or seven years younger than Peter and me. Those different ages mattered when we were younger. A remarkable difference between a baby and a seven-year-old. That difference shrank with the passing years. Okay, I admit it. I hoped Mikell and he were a couple. They did it well at Big's.
"Next time." Mikell said doing the one arm man hug. "Ask first."
"Look before you leap." I said.
Mikell looked puzzled. "Didn't I just say that?"
I huffed and rolled my eyes. "It's used in many stories as a moral. It's an idiom popular in the West." I shoved Mikell away lightly. "I won't give up on you guys, but you could make it easier."
The cookout began sort of stiff. They came and just sat. Henri came out with a couple of large bowls of snack foods. No tortilla chips or potato chips. One had these round whitish shapes; the other had a pile of "chips' that had green edges. "I'm coming, I swear. These are salt and pepper zucchini chips." He pointed to the green edged chips. He pointed to the little balls. "These are blue cheese balls. What's in it is wasabi, so a bit spicy..."
Gretchen came over with another bowl of what looked like thick crackers. "Here you go."
"These are Za'atar Chickpea...Cracker?" He questioned that word choice even to himself. "For the cheese balls. You know Za'atar?" Our lack of response told him the answer. "A combination of things like toasted sesame seed, dried sumac and cayenne peppers. Or at least my version of it."
I shook my head at Henri. "You just couldn't open a bag of chips?"
Henri frowned, putting his fist on his hip pointing at me. "Have you ever opened a bag of chips on the water or beach!?" He demanded.
He was funny! I nodded. "I have."
"What happens in less than an hour?" Henri nodded as he asked.
"They went flat like they were spoiled." I grinned. "Because of the humidity."
"There you go." Henri said in triumph. He waved at the bowls. "These won't."
I looked at Gretchen. She a nice looking woman in her early thirties with blonde hair. "And you!" I said to her. "Last night was when I first saw you. Then Mikell tells me you were onboard since we left Venice! How'd you do that?"
Gretchen laughed and shrugged. "I just do."
"I probably would never know if it wasn't for yesterday and this cookout." I said.
Mikell was right about my saying that making her day. She beamed after that.
Everyone was true to their word and came. The volume increased; someone got the entertainment center playing some nice music over the speakers on the deck. There were only two female crewmen on the Duchess. Too bad many of the men were married, gay or both. Then again who knew about them?
Henri did bring his supplies out and started the grill.
Yes, I was getting fixated. Alec was here, but off to himself. When he was included with a joke, he'd laugh and make comments back, but didn't engage much. He wore shorts and a t-shirt. He looked younger. He looked more youthful. He was that reserved? It was more than just being shy.
Mikell had been watching me. He startled me from my thoughts. He chuckled. "You do give a damn about everyone."
"Of course, I do!" I smiled pointing at him. "A year ago, I proposed to all of you and you all said yes. A week ago, I married all of you!"
Mikell chuckled again. "Yes, you did." He looked at Alec and looked serious. "He's a special man. I won't give away any confidence, but I will tell you he's overcome a lot."
"I could tell that downstairs." I said softly. "If you'll excuse me." I said to both Peter and Mikell.
I sat by Alec on a lounge. "Hi, Alec." I always joked and kidded with...everyone. I didn't think he would appreciate that. "Good to see you out in the sunshine."
Alec lifted his sunglasses and smiled at me. "Is this the talk?"
I sighed. "This is me getting to know you. I hope the talk never ends."
"What do you want to know?"
"You were born in Makarovia?" I asked. "What part?"
"I was born in the small community of Busk." He looked at me. "You know where that is?"
I nodded with a chuckle. "Yes, I know. I studied the map after meeting Peter. It's northeast of Skoal."
Alec nodded. "That's right. A population made up of miners."
"I read that." I said. "Was that what your father did?"
Alec nodded. "Until I was eight." He became uncomfortable. "Mom and I moved to Stryia then. We lived with my Aunt Sofia." He looked at me. "You don't want to know why we moved?"
I smiled. "I want you to tell what you want to." I knew there was a lot he left out. "I want you to be comfortable with me. I need to be comfortable with you. How we do that is to talk together." I waved at him and back to me. "I'm trusting you with my life. I need to make sure you are happy and healthy. I care about all of you. It just makes sense to talk." Don't be mistaken, I was not a psychologist. I was not a therapist. I was trying to be a friend that used what I was taught by Grandma and what I learned in class or books. Alec was going to be tough. I decided to share with him first. "What do you know about my past?"
Alec looked surprised. "Not that much. Not much from TV. I know you have a grandmother who was pretty famous."
I told him about the Bolshoi Ballet and her defection from the USSR. Her love of dance and that she was my only surviving family member. I told him about the family I'd lost. He was now listening as I told of grandpa, my mother and my father.
"You weren't happy they died?"
I schooled my expression at that surprising question. "You were."
Alec shook his head. "I wasn't sad." He sighed. "In winter there could be days or even weeks before my father would come home. The mines had a transport to pick up and drop off miners. If they picked him up I was happy and terrified when I'd hear them drop him off." He grimaced. "It depended on the snow. If he was home and it snowed, that was scary. He couldn't go to work and be home all day. We had one that lasted two weeks when he was at work and that was a happy two weeks."
I wasn't going to ask him questions. He needed to tell me what he thought he could.
"One day the big siren went off." He looked at me. "The one that goes off if there's a cave in?" He was shaking a little. "Mom wanted to go to the mine! I said no. That I hoped he was dead." He wiped at an eye. "And he was." He looked at me. "That's a horrible thing to say, isn't it?"
I leaned forward. "That depends on what led to that. I make no judgement."
Alec looked at me seriously. Then looked away. "You don't want to hear this." He said with dejection.
"I don't?" I asked. "My friend is telling me some personal things. I do want to hear it if you want to share." I touched his arm and he didn't have the reflex he had earlier. "I'll listen."
"Why?" Alec asked. "You don't know me."
I nodded. "That's why we're talking. To get to know each other. You don't know me either." I said. "I'm listening."
"My father was..." Alec sought a word, "cruel. Not just to me, but Mom, too. When he was home he would drink. When he drank he got mean. He would beat on Mom and me. His abuse wasn't restricted to physical abuse. He abused sexually, too. Neither of us could say no to him. When he wanted it, we did it." Alec looked at me. "I saw him rape my mother many, many times. He said it wasn't rape because she was his wife."
He looked at me again. Looking for a reaction? My face didn't change. Finally, I said. "Men have used that excuse forever."
Alec nodded. "When my father died, I knew what he did to us was over." He laughed, but it wasn't a happy or amused laugh. "With him, yes, but Mom was...so lost without my father. He was the one with a job, not her. She would smack me around before he died. She didn't do it often from being abused herself. We moved to Stryia and stayed with her sister Sofia. Mom started drinking. What compensation from the mining company went to help her with that. She would get drunk and beat me, saying it was my fault my father was dead. I had wished him dead. " Alec still watched me. "She didn't just use her hand or fist. She used belts, large wooden kitchen spoons or even the cast iron frying pan." He waited again. A pregnant pause in the conversation.
"What are you expecting from me?" I asked at last looked for something. "What usually happens you expect to see from me? You keep looking at me for something."
Alec looked surprised. "No you poor thing or I'm so sorry?"
"To be pitied?" I frowned. "You want that?"
"No!" Alec said quickly. "Everyone I've told has either said it or it showed on their face. That's what I keep expecting."
"I'm saddened by what you said." I confessed. "I don't think pity would help you. What about your mother?"
Alec didn't seem to know how to react to me, but said. "I was thirteen when Mom died. Again, I wasn't sad."
"Your Aunt Sofia had to know about all this." I said calmly.
Alec chuckled. "She was as bad as they were, but the other way. She was nice, but did nothing to help. All she did was make excuses for Mom, even when Mom broke my arm. Aunt Sofia lied to the doctor, authorities, and everyone about my many injuries. Aunt Sofia still made excuses with me. Then tried to make up for it by mothering me to death."
I nodded. "I've heard of that. She felt guilty and knew she was guilty. It sounds like she was doing it to make herself feel better."
Alec was now totally confused.
"Being happy that bullies are dead, isn't a crime," I said, "Even wishing them dead isn't a crime." I grinned. "Unless you developed powers where your thoughts kill and even then I wouldn't blame you." I pointed at him. "There was a crime committed against you. You are the victim." Henri was cooking now. I looked at Alec. "Your life was sad. I don't and won't pity you. You've overcome a lot." The old Eric was surfacing. "I want you to be a friend. I want to be your friend. I like you, Alec." I smirked. "Despite your handicap, I like you."
Alec was comfortable with the other agents. He visibly relaxed more with me. His face was quickly confused when I said the last sentence. "Handicap!? What handicap?"
I put a calming hand on his arm. "It's not your fault, Alec. It's something you were born with. I'm not blaming you."
Alec was now totally confused.
I touched his hair. "You're blonde!" Then I chuckled. "For that, I will pity you." I rubbed the top of his head. "You poor, poor man."
Alec laughed heartily.
"And we will have many other talks in the future." I said standing. "I won't willingly let you go if ordered. Even then I'd fight to keep you."
Alec grinned, standing. "Thanks, for being a friend." He hugged me.
"Thank you for being a friend," I sang, "we've been down the road and back again," I sang in English making people look as they were confused. "Your heart is true, you're a pal and a confidant," I looked at them. "The show on television The Golden Girls? It was big in the late eighties in the West?" The expressions didn't change. I just rolled my eyes and huffed again. "I really do need to introduce classic media culture to these people."
Henri came out this time without his white chef's coat or jacket. He had a casual short-sleeved royal blue shirt instead. I have to say this. The man is definitely quirky, but he was super organized.
I was going to offer some help, it was Peter's and my cookout, but Peter said in my ear. "I'd really think about that first."
Henri again knew where things were because he put it there. Peter was right, I needed to consider the repercussions if I got in Henri's way. "It's our cookout! One of the guests is doing it all? How is he a guest?" I turned to Peter and grinned. "I...know how to cook."
Peter gave me a look. "I'm never going to live that down, am I?"
I chuckled. "No."
"He has Gretchen." Peter pointed out.
I nodded. "Who is another guest." I took a breath and walked over. "This was our idea." I said to Henri's back. "May we help you? I can cook."
Henri turned and smiled. "Can you?"
I laughed a little waving at him. "Not even close to what you do. Cooking now is just an evolved version of..." I lowered my voice and said gruffly, "me kill big game. Use fire." I don't know what a caveman sounds like. Do you? "Kill and meat hasn't changed that much in millions of years." I pointed at the grill. "It's the fire and how we get and use it that's evolved." Then to prove I knew something about it. "You're not a man that sears are you? I think it dries the burger out."
Henri grinned. "I reverse sear."
"That takes longer." I said. "Going from low heat to high,"
Henri was nodding, "That's right. It gives me time to cook the burgers, the transfer to the high heat before I give it to someone." He tapped me lightly. "You know."
"About burgers, yes." I smiled. "It was one of first things I learned to cook." I waved toward Peter. "It was to survive, I needed to cook."
Henri chuckled. "Was it that bad?"
"I couldn't tell what it was! Not what it started out as or what is was to become." I walked over to the foil covered trays. "Just tell me how long and when to turn them."
Henri nodded. "Okay." He pulled the foil from a tray. They were huge! Abnormally big. I knew they would shrink when cooked. "This first row is for the Captain and another crewman. They are lactose sensitive. These burgers contain cheese that they can handle. The others have Blue Cheese, Cheddar and Pepper Jack." He pointed again.
I shook my head. "You still won't open that bag of chips."
"You wouldn't appreciate me if I did." Henri stated simply. "Anyone can do that."
"No hotdogs?" I asked.
"That," Henri frowned, "is almost beneath me."
"Why?"
"Frankfurters are better!" Henri said. "Have you had one? A real German Frankfurter? Where they came from?"
I smiled at his passion. "I thought so, but maybe not."
Henri shrugged. "I don't have any in stock anyway."
Working with Henri was a little tense a few times. I was determined not to do that. He had everything under control. Two kinds of bacon, smoked and candied, mushrooms and more! The cheese he mentioned wasn't on the burger, but in the burger.
I did the low heat cooking and he did that reverse sear. He even did this covering thing with a few on the griddle. Both the grill and griddle were being used. I was on the grill. When Henri transferred some of the burgers, he covered them with a small metal container/bowls once he lightly seared them. He said the cheese in these needed the moist heat.
Henri made the condiments, too. He made the mayonnaise, several mustards and ketchup. One ketchup was smoky and infused with bourbon!
I bit into mine. Here I am again. What other way can I describe my adoration at the sensation happening? The burger was hot as delicious juices and my sharp cheddar in the burger was melted and just oozed out threating my clothes. I was prepared with napkins.
I smiled as Henri sat with us munching away happily.
"This is out of this world, Henri!" Peter said and took another bite. "Wha lse is in ere?" He asked with his mouth full. Something he almost never did.
Henri looked guilty. "Truffles."
"Truffles?" I repeated.
Henri nodded. "I can do regular burgers and fries." He explained. "But why if I can do more? I could and did. I love it." He shrugged. "The truffles are mashed in with the ground beef."
We talked and ate. It was getting dark as evening came. As the sun set, Peter got up.
"May I have your attention a few minutes, please?"
Everyone was here and the music stopped. They all looked at Peter.
Peter grinned. "I'm not really the one to give a speech and I won't now." He chuckled. "Eric and I thought of doing something special for all of you. Those that serve on the Duchess and those from Makarovia. A cookout just isn't enough, but a small gesture of our gratitude. Eric and I married. My husband was right. We were just one of many couples to get married the Saturday before last. I'm sure there were some same gender couples to do that. The fact that I am a prince made it remarkable and even more when the world knew we had approval and support, not only from family, but the people that live there. You know all this. For the crew of the Duchess, this has been seven star service. We made friends with some," he looked at Henri and Captain Agius, Peter laughed. "Others of you we didn't because we never saw you." He looked at Gretchen and the other female crewman I still don't know her name. "To our agents that guarded us and have since become friends." Peter smiled me. "We owe you agents more than a cookout. Much more. You have our gratitude and respect."
I walked over beside Peter. "This has been a magical week. That was because of all of you."
"It's not over." Peter said quickly. "We still have a few stops to be done. This was the best time to do this."
"I pray the Basso becomes family." I said. "I love the Count and Countess von Bar for their generosity. I can't wait to meet them."
"Thank you," Peter and bowed to them. "Thank each and every one of you."
I'm pretty sure we hugged everyone on the Duchess then. Even the Captain! The cookout party wasn't over. The overall feeling now was that we had gelled into a comfortable friendship. The agents had been below on the lower two decks and even with a reduced crew, there wasn't a lot of space. Close quarters. This was a crying shame as there was so much up here. I would make sure our agents felt free to come up.
Tomorrow was pretty much all about getting from here to Malta. Nautical miles and speed. It would take a day to get there depending on conditions and speed achieved and (Ow. The pain was on the left side of my head because of the math again.) It takes a while. Okay?
"Not the one to give speeches?" I asked Peter. "You did great."
"Yeah," Peter muttered. "I can, but I'll gladly let you do it next time."
Peter didn't help cook, but he told me said he'd help cleaning up. It had been his party, as well. I was fine with that. I liked to cook, but hated the cleanup. I sure you never heard anyone say that before, (Sorry, sarcasm for me is an involuntary reflex for me at times.)
Alec came over and sat in a lounge near me. He was still a little reserved and may always be. He was more relaxed with me now. "Thank you, Your Highness," his head was lowered a bit, but the eyes came up to look at me. "For listening earlier."
"Not everything in a person's life will be funny or even pleasant. You've had more unpleasant things happen to you than some. That's just life. Thank you for reminding me of what I am in case I forgot is nice of you, but not needed." I shrugged. "I'm still me. I am a prince or highness is because I fell in love with him." I pointed at Peter who worked on the grill. He was doing a good job, too. "You may have heard me say I prefer to simply be Eric." I held a hand up to stop what sometimes came after I said that. "I know protocols and all that. Do it with strangers around, but with just us. Please, don't."
Alec chuckled. "Sure." He looked more directly at me. He thought how to say something. "I don't know how to express it."
Again, I smiled. "Peter and I have a rule. Say what feel and are thinking what you feel and we deal with it before it becomes something much bigger."
Alec relaxed more. "I've never met anyone like you." He shook his head as he seemed to marvel at that. "I'm just surprised I told you what I did."
"Why is that surprising?"
Alec pointed at Mikell. "It took almost a year to tell him any of it."
I looked at Mikell, then back to Alec and shrugged. "You didn't think you could until then." I sat forward. "Anytime you feel like it. We'll talk. Even when things are busy, we'll talk if you want." I chuckled again. "You'll be with us a lot of the time. You'll know when that will be." I touched him on the arm. "We've got a lot of time now until well into tomorrow and part of the next day." I thought again. "I think."
Alec looked uncertain. "This is your honeymoon."
I nodded. "Yes, which you are on with us." I grinned. "And really, we're on a honeymoon, too. You're not just a subject. We are married. I told Mikell and some others, we're married. We are. Mikell and me, Mercea and me, Rolph and me, Yuri and me, Boris and..." I grinned. "You get the picture. I married every single Makarovian. Don't worry that I might fall in love with you." I squeezed his arm gently. "It's too late for that. I already have."
Alec looked in disbelief that I said that. "I believe you." His entire body was telling me he wanted to talk, very badly. I was a willing ear. He was eager to talk.
I looked at Peter really applying effort to clean the grill. "We have time now." He needed just a little more. "Unless you feel it's too soon." I thumbed toward Peter. "I don't keep things from Peter. I won't volunteer anything you tell me as a friend. Mikell only told me you overcame a lot, but not what. That was a huge understatement."
Alec smiled at that. "I don't care if he knows."
"Just know," I said. "I won't."
I wasn't wrong with what I said. After World War II, Dr. Lowenstein did some cutting edge Psychiatric work in the fifties with Holocaust Survivors. After that any psychological help vanished. Except some behavioral redirection (which had more to do with adhering to the demands of the Kremlin on the work effort). It stopped and did not reemerge except in the past few years.
I made sure he knew what I knew. "I have no training to be anything but a friend. Maybe we should train for friendship." I said. "I don't want to be your therapist. I'm not. I can be a friend and even a confidant."
"I trust you." Alec said sincerely. That statement told a lot. It was not something he said to anyone really. "You understood what I said about my father and how he treated me."
I nodded. "I think so. I say it, all you give can me is confirmation that I understand. He abused you by striking you, he belittled and humiliated you, making you feel worthless and he abused you sexually. He had sex with you and had you do sexual things to him."
Alec nodded. "I can't even remember when it started. It just always was. Mom didn't do the sexual part, but the physical torture and mental abuse she did. Believe it or not, I almost missed the sexual abuse." He laughed. "As bad as the abuse was. That was the only real time he touched me without really wanting to hurt me. He did, but that wasn't his goal."
I did have feelings about it. It wasn't pity. It was sad and I did feel sad for him. The emotion I felt the most was admiration. Somehow, this man had been through Hell and yet, here he was a functioning and productive member of the Human World. I didn't school my expression, which Alec caught quickly.
"Something I said was amusing?" Alex asked testily.
I looked at him knowing he was just sensitive and didn't believe that. "Of course not." I said calmly. "I will admit what I feel is positive, but it is not amusing."
"Positive!?" Alec balked. "How is any of this positive?" He demanded.
I smiled. "You are here!" I shook my head. "You are an incredible man, Alec! An inspiration!"
Alec sat back astonished. "What are you talking about?"
"You survived!" I said smiling. "In spite of horrors, you not only survived, but thrived! What happened was a crime I wished we could take to court." I took both his hands and squeezed them determined to have him see it as I did. "You won the trust of King Olek, Mikell, and even Yuri; otherwise, he wouldn't put you here." I nodded laughing as I muttered. "Believe me, that's not easily done with Yuri." I grinned bigger. "You said your life wasn't interesting? It's more interesting than many I've only heard about."
It was clear no one had said something like that to him. His mouth dropped open as he looked at me, not believing what I'd said.
"I'm proud to have you as a friend." I said. "I'd be honored if you consider me yours." I pulled Alec up and hugged him tightly.
Beside us, Peter leaned in. "Am I interrupting?"
I looked at Peter and then Alec and said simply. "Yes."
We left Antikythera with no regrets. It had been a respite for the day and night. No one came and bothered us.
I couldn't know what shifts they had on the Duchess. It were rules for what I assumed were guidelines to understand; how employees were treated was one. There were trade unions I theorized. They were everywhere, right? Only if you hire a man belonging to one. I didn't know.
There was a time of great upheaval that shook the world when the Soviet's called it quits and felt the most in East Europe. Right after the USSR collapsed Russia lost control of things and like a whimpering animal licking its wounds. What could they say? So sorry. It's our fault. Our bad. Our fault. Well, it was their fault! Over half a century the USSR had control. Places like Romania, the Ukraine and other countries were severed from the body and had to cope on their own. Poor Makarovia was the last thing on anybody's mind. You take them on and would say shoving us forward like an unwanted player on a team. No, you take them. Shoving us back. We had them last time. We were unwanted red-headed step-children??
Isn't that the source of warm feelings inside you? Of course, it isn't! The king then simply said those willing to give support were opportunists, conmen, and just plain thieves. Nothing insulting or offense intended. A man with hands clasped together unseen by long sleeves bows, "ancient proverb say: if it seems too good to be true. It is." The man bows again as a deep, ringing "bong" of a gong is heard.
Olek's Dad and his father and grandfather dealt with Nazis and Soviets. Criminals weren't difficult to deal with. For me, I didn't see a difference in any of them. Peter pointed it out to me. Where would crooks go? They would be trapped like others who are unprepared and it could cost them their lives. That pressure shouldn't just go away.
My original point was, no, I didn't forget it. I was expecting Western laws and ethics about labor and treatment to apply. To make a sudden change could be harmful instead of being helpful.
Peter and I walked back to our quarters.
"You had a good talk with Alec." Peter said. He sounded genuine, with just a little suspicion.
"We did!" I smiled, ignoring the extra for the moment. "He's like a man thirsting for water, or starving. He can't get enough."
Peter nodded. "What happens when love enters the relationship?"
I stopped Peter. "You know there's no one but you."
Peter grinned shaking his head and rolled his eyes. "Not you," he went to English, "Numbnuts!"
I know my eyes had surprise clearly seen on my face as I tried to remember. "Have I said that to you? Or is this the result of that hour on Mondays and Wednesdays with Ted?"
He stopped a few seconds and said. "I don't remember and who cares? I'm saying he could fall in love with you."
I had considered it. "Isn't that a little of what we want? Don't we want that love?"
Peter nodded. "It's not us, but you I worry about. He shared his reason for how he acts." It wasn't a question.
"Not in much detail..."
"But he told you in less than a day!" Peter reasoned. "I am going be worried as the friendship grows. It's growing now in a few hours." He shrugged a nod. "I trust you, but Alec has a heart. Don't break his."
I smiled as I nodded. "I understand. He is amazing."
Peter shrugged. "Sure, he is. He's Makarovian." He said lightly.
"Seriously," I said firmly. "He is."
Peter smiled with compassion. "Was it that bad?"
I grudging nodded. "I'm not comfortable talking about Alec. I will say," I nodded. "It's one of the worst I've read or heard about. It's amazing he's sane."
Peter nodded. "Mikell said it was." Peter put his finger in my face again, "All the more reason to be very cautious. Be his friend." He patted my chest. "This heart is mine."
It was morning when I heard the engines come on quietly. It was still dark out from the early hour of the morning.
The Duchess could go twenty to thirty knots. Depending on how much she weighed. Knots and speed were determined by the number of knots we pass, the knot being 1,852 kilometers an hour or one nautical mile divided by thirty... (Ow. All this left brained stuff just hurts my head. I use my right half of my brain a Hell of a lot more to appreciate paintings, colors, music, and the arts in general.)
The Duchess was sleek and the deck lay out was to minimize space used and needed. I found out she was built for efficiency. We had enough fuel to get there and back. I might get by convincing people I was a therapist. No one would believe I was a sailor. I know there are vendors to get what we need, but where do you get a gallon or two of boat gas? Where does it go in? How do you put it in?
It wasn't long before we were moving. The engines didn't strain once.
We woke again and the sun was up and shining. Peter and I showered and dressed. It was just past ten in the morning and we found Henri in his comfort zone. The galley was where he felt the best.
He looked up and smiled. "Good morning. Coffee, right?"
"Please?" I answered.
Henri went to task on the coffee. "That was a nice cookout."
Peter nodded. "Where without you wouldn't have happen at all."
"When you visit us," I looked at him, "and you better. We'll have you served. Not serving."
Henri nodded and looked away a little. "It might be a problem if I ever became sick of cooking. Dreading coming to work, but" he threw his hands out helplessly, "I love it. I have an excuse to come in here and create something wonderful. No two dishes are the same, be it less thyme or more oregano..."
"Or truffles in a burger." Peter nodded understanding.
"I can't take credit for that, but you're right." Henri nodded handing us our coffee. "It's with the unexplored where we have discoveries. I've made a few. I hope to find more." He looked at the clock. "I need fifteen minutes to finish this and then thirty to make breakfast." He grinned. "It seems the chef yesterday must have been distracted. Somethings didn't get done." He even sounded embarrassed.
Peter nodded and hugged Henri. "You leave him alone."
"Be nice when talking about our friend!" I added. "We love him!"
Henri smiled bigger. "Thank you. He feels the same with you. Forty-five minutes."
I set my watch.
Only Mercea and Cosmo were in the common room. Mercea grinned seeing us. "Do you want to play cards?" He asked shuffling the deck.
"We'd love to!" I said sitting down and remembered. "Is this the only deck?"
Mercea looked puzzled. "There are two more in the drawer over there."
I nodded going over and looked. The two I put in my pocket. "Just in case someone comes to play cards, they can't without these. They'll have to come upstairs."
Peter nodded patting Cosmo on the shoulder. "He gets so determined about some things."
"So," I said, "let's go."
The Living Area upstairs had a table and chairs deck and Peter asked. "What's the game?"
"Poker." Cosmo replied holding up some blue and red chips in the round container.
Peter nodded. "Fine. Seven Card Stud? Razz? Texas Hold'em or even Chinese? Just name the game." And he stood there and shuffled the cards in his right hand only! Then he sat where I watched him do the riffle and cascading shuffle. I could almost hear the slow rhythmical beat of music grow more rapid right before the shark will attack. Peter's hidden talent made jim potentially dangerous. He was a predator? Even Cosmo's and Mercea's eyes grew seeing that.
I walked up to Peter sticking my hand out. "We've never met. I'm Eric. What's your name?"
Peter chuckled shaking my hand. "Someone that spent a great deal of time in their room in the past." He dealt and we started playing. Fortunately, Peter's skill with cards was limited to shuffling and a few tricks. Bluffing? He couldn't bluff very well. Not to me anyway. I couldn't brag either. I couldn't fool him. I didn't have a poker face. We were in our third hand when my watch went off. They had their breakfast already.
Alec and Mikell came up and I jumped up handing my cards to Alec. "You be me."
Peter nodded handing his cards to Mikell. "That means you're me."
I nodded. "We were slightly late once."
"This time," Peter said, "Henri might...hurt us."
"We're not taking the risk." I taking Peter's hand and walked in the dining area.
Henri came out, pushing the cart again. He did his voila and revealed there were good sized steaming disks on each plate. "These are a shrimp, crab and scallop pancakes..." he faltered a little, "sort of." He pointed at "pancakes." "There are bell peppers, scallions, kimchi and Sriracha in them."
Peter nodded. "I know all them but kimchi."
I switched to Makarovian. "It's salted and fermented vegetables."
"Oh." Peter said.
I switched to English again. "That's Asian, isn't it?"
Henri gave a reluctant, squirming shrug his hand giving a more or less signal. "EEeem. It came from Korea."
"And you made some discovery." I nodded.
Henri nodded with a smile. "Precisely."
Then we heard an agonized groan and someone being called a son of a bitch in Makarovian, followed by men laughing. The Duchess was big, yes, but not that big.
"What was that?" Henri asked a little alarmed.
Peter smiled at me. "Music to our ears."
"The men came from below and now feel free to be men." I nodded. "And what was always wanted."
Raised voices were just going to happen. The laughing and sudden declarations about another's legitimacy of birth status or dark personality came more than any of it. It was louder. It was music to my ears. Comradery was so important. They had to know and trust each other, too. They watch Peter and me, but they also watched out for each other. They had to. Their lives could depend on it. Like back in Boston when attacked with Olek and Mom there after Penny's betrayal. Never mind it was my birthday. Or in London when we were attacked. I wasn't just being dramatic. It could be very dangerous.
The "pancakes" were orbit sending. We savored every bite.
We walked in the living area and saw Rolph had joined them. He sat out of the game. I asked him why and he told me if I wanted win, bet the opposite of what he did. He didn't have good luck with gambling.
"Isn't love a gamble?" I asked.
Rolph nodded. "Oh yes. Here's another idiom. Lucky in cards, unlucky in love." He grinned. "I'll stick with the love part."
Depth!! All these men had depth to me now. Except Cosmo. He had some, but I'd work on each of them.
I slumped by Peter on a couch. "We'll be picking up Yuri and Boris in a couple of days." I turned to Peter. "Do you think Yuri will be upset?"
Peter frowned. "I don't know if he'll feel anything." He sighed. "We're telling him what he is to do." He threw his arm around me hugging me. "Here's a lesson." His head moved back an inch. "Don't give me that surprised expression." That's right, I have no poker face. "You've hardly needed one until now." He pulled me closer. "You are a prince now. You might not feel different, but you are. There is only Olek and Mom that outranks us." He grinned. "At times she outranks him and Olek knows it. That you worry about hurting him is fine. However, this is what you want. Making it work is up to Yuri." Peter nodded a little. "He will do it. I know he will. The only problem will be if we ask him to do something Olek said not to. He can take it. He's a big boy."
Everything in my life had taught me to be kind and think of others. I didn't know the absolute best way for anything. Grandpa told me this little nugget of wisdom. Find a way to do something well, but you can bet somewhere in the world, someone will do it better. Be proud of what you can do, but be a gracious loser when someone does it better.
Was my way better than Yuri's way? I researched and saw the different styles. I was no authority...oh, yes. I was. Peter just reminded me I was.
I hate confrontations. If it came to that, I could argue my side. I didn't want to, but would.
I was amazed at how that made me feel. I could face down a grizzly bear.
Peter chuckled beside me shaking his head in quiet delight. "Don't ever change." He leaned in kissing me gently.
We were at sea! Don't ask how fast, I don't want a headache. We were going at a good speed, I think. On the deck above the main deck had the media center and a lounge. Above that was the bridge and office. Most of the ship was on one level and below the main deck. I saw Gretchen! I almost took it as a victory until I was told she probably let me see her to make me feel better. Yeah, it figured.
There was a library! Not the group of books in print. There was a library of books, music, TV shows and movies that numbered in the thousands! Many languages of books, television, and movies. The television and movies could be seen on any screen. There were these rectangular tablets to read and if you use the earbuds, watch the movie or show.
This was so incredibly dangerous! I prayed Aunt Maria liked us and would let us use the Duchess again.
"It's almost a shame we'll be in Malta tomorrow." Peter confessed.
"Why?"
"We could have spent our entire honeymoon here." Peter said as he sifted through some movie titles.
I grinned at him moving over him. We were the only ones in the media center. "It's a given that married people require less verbal communication to talk to each other. Now you can read my mind? Not a second ago, I thought the same thing!" I lowered myself over him almost kissing him.
Peter chuckled with a shrug. "Great minds think alike."
Then we heard, "They're in here!" Mercea shouted to someone. He grinned at us. "Mikell wanted to know if you fell overboard or something." He waved at us. "Carry on." He said and was about to leave.
"Where are you going?" I asked.
Mercea looked uncertain. "You..." I swear, that boy/man's face was so damned cute as he blushed, "were busy."
"With the door open, knowing others onboard that could come in?" Peter looked at me. "Though you did marry Mercea. Would it be cheating? Because technically..."
I saw Mercea's eyes grow at the implications with what Peter said and I reached down, grabbed Peter's left nipple through his shirt and twisted lightly giving him the beginnings of a purple-nurple. He yelped in the midst of his laughter. "That was just phase one." I growled at Peter and looked at Mercea. "He's just teasing you. You don't have to give us privacy. We have our quarters for any more and enough good manners when not to do that." I looked at Peter who was still laughing. "Don't we?" I challenged holding my hand up to do it again.
"Absolutely." Peter agreed quickly, but laughing again.
I was about to apologize for the college frat house behavior and then I realized, that's exactly what we were! Peter and I were college students away for the summer. We were older than some, but it was age appropriate! It could have been worse. We had time and the means to get drunk every night! So far, only one "hangover" was from the ouzo. Getting drunk might be fun, but it costs too much, Maybe it was because I had lost Tony. He had a lot to do with it. Maybe it just made more sense to enjoy it sparingly. The hour or so recovering from a hangover was worse to me than the few hours of drunk I had or even clearly remember. There's nothing wrong with Jesus' first miracle in the Bible. Even I know that. Never mind about the needed sanitation and other reasons people give. Bring me a glass of God Made Wine and we'll discuss it. Until then, it's my decision and my opinion. There was an opinion recorded in the Bible. A guest at that wedding even commented on them serving the best wine last instead of first! It was an important enough statement to be recorded with the all the "Thou shalt nots." Why else was it written there? It was good wine!
Okay. We were seen by others in the world. Peter and I knew how to behave ourselves. We also knew when we didn't have to. Today, we didn't have to.
Things were settling into place.